It's odd though. That interior is a perfect copy. It even has the torque split lever (red lever next to the gear stick) which not many genuine RS200's had. All the replicas i've seen have a Sierra dashboard, which is very different around the passenger's side.
I wonder if it's a genuine one that's had it's identity changed at some point for some reason. Which would explain the cossie VIN plate having been screwed on. perhaps something to do with Indonesian vehicle import laws?
Yep, it's definitely something that has to do with Indonesian vehicle import laws. The good ol'
"Chassis Number Fraud".
Let's put it this way:
The old owner might've possibly bought the RS200 without papers and registration from overseas (or smuggled to Indonesia), Since Indonesia has such a strict law about vehicles without papers and registration,
cheapskates the owner, just like many other classic car owners, found an
alternative way to escape the cops and making the car street legal:
Chassis Number Fraud.
Basically, the owner either had a Sapphire Cossie or bought the VIN, papers, etc of a Cossie and somehow swapped the original RS200 VIN plate to a Cossie that has already been registered on the roads, and thus, resulting in an "identity change".
The main reason behind it, is simple; to avoid getting in trouble with the cops (or even worse, involved in car smuggling)
Another thing worth noting, is the fact that the cops here in Indonesia has next-to-none knowledge about cars!
Here's an "example" :
*gets pulled over while driving a Corolla Levin*
Police: License and registration, sir.
Me: Here ya go.
Police: Hmm.... A Toyota Corolla EE80, huh?
Well, a Toyota is a Toyota, you're free to go.
*cop returns registration papers*
*drives away*
Simply put, you pay the regular taxes of the "cossie" as a "cossie" and the cops won't even bat an eye. As long as the serial numbers match, there shouldn't be a problem.
And besides, what kind of a RS200 kit car owner (based on a cossie!) would ever go into such troubles trying to convert the engine position/drivetrain of the car? Or, in this case, a GENUINE RS200 engine?
Ah, yknow what? I'm gonna return there on monday, take some hi-res pics with my "actual" camera, and post it here.